Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/291

 RELIGION OF BALI, 247 ecutioners, they received a first stab between the false ribs, and a second, from the same side, under the shoulder blade, the weapon being thrust up to the hilt, in a slanting direction, towards the heart. As soon as the horrors of death were visible in the countenance, without a complaint escaping them, they were permitted to fall prone on the ground, their limbs were pulled from behind, and they were strip- ped of the last remnant of their dress, so that they were left in a state of perfect nakedness, "The executioners receive, as their reward, two hundred and fifty pieces of copper money, of about the value of ^ve sols each. The nearest relations, if they be present, or persons hired for the occa* sion if they are not come, after the execution, and wash the bloody bodies, and having sufficiently cleaned them, they cover them with wood in such a manner, that the head only is visible, and, hav- ing applied fire to the pile, they are consumed to ashes. " The women were already poignarded, and the greater number of them in flames, before the dead body of the queen arrived, borne on a superb Badi, of a pyramidal form, consisting of eleven steps, and supported by a number of persons pro- portioned to the rank of the deceased. At each side of the body were seated two women, one holding an umbrella, and the other a flapper of horse -hair, to drive away the insects. Two priests